Infiniti QX50 2018 revealed ahead of LA

A production-ready variable-compression turbo engine will debut with the introduction of the next-gen Infiniti QX50 next year.

Infiniti Australia will finally field a competitor in the booming mid-size luxury SUV market with the reveal of its new-generation QX50 crossover that is expected to land in local showrooms in the latter half of 2018.

Also debuting on the new model is Infiniti’s ground-breaking variable-compression turbo (VC-Turbo) 2.0-litre petrol unit that promises “the torque and efficiency of a four-cylinder diesel engine”.

Able to raise or lower the reach of the pistons on the fly to change the compression ratio between 8:1 (for better performance) and 14:1 (for efficiency), the engine under the bonnet of the production QX50 will produce 200kW of power and 380Nm of torque.

The QX50 will return a fuel economy figure of around 8.7- and 9.0 litres per 100km for front- and all-wheel-drive configurations respectively.

The VC-Turbo engine will be matched to a continuously-variable transmission (CVT) that enables a 0- 60mph (97km/h) sprint time of 6.3 seconds in the all-wheel drive QX50, while the front-drive version is 0.4s slower to the landmark time.

Wearing a slipperier body than before, the QX50’s drag coefficient has been reduced by six per cent.

Being built on an all-new, high-strength platform enables the new QX50 to be 23 per cent stiffer than its predecessor, while the second-generation premium mid-size crossover also increases its dimensions to 4693mm long, 1903mm wide and 1679mm high with a 2800mm wheelbase.

Nissan’s ‘ProPilot Assist’ semi-autonomous technologies will also be included that can control the vehicle’s braking and steering during highway settings.

Other safety technologies including autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control are also expected to be bundled with the QX50.

Wearing a slipperier body than before, the QX50’s drag coefficient has been reduced by six per cent thanks to a design that encourages airflow around the body.

An evolution on the concept version revealed at this year’s Detroit motor show, the production-ready QX50 wears subtler body lines and bigger headlights, but also retains the body-integrated roof rails and prominent front grille of the show car.

No interior details have yet been revealed save for the QX50 boasting a 895 litre-capacity boot, which can expand to 1699 litres with the sliding rear-bench seats folded away.

More details are expected to be uncovered at next week’s LA motor show when the QX50 goes official to the public.